Sports in Atlanta

The city of Atlanta has a long history of athletics, hosting a variety of professional and collegiate sports teams. These franchises have left their mark on the fabric of the city, radically affecting the city’s built environment through the construction of necessary facilities and infrastructures. The 1996 Olympics were a seminal moment in Atlanta’s history, propelling the city to the world stage. As Atlanta grappled with the challenges of playing host to the world, its neighborhoods faced major changes that still resonate today.

Featured Project | Digital Projects | Articles | Further Reading 

Featured Project

This project is an explanation of how hosting the 1996 Olympic Games changed Atlanta.

Featured Digital Projects

Braves Franchise Timeline

MLB Advanced Media

Timeline of the franchise history of the Atlanta Braves.

Susan Kahrs

History of the Atlanta Falcons.

Heritage Hall: Atlanta Hawks Historic

NBA Media Ventures
Timeline of the history of the Atlanta Hawks.

Sites of competition for the 1996 summer Olympics hosted in Atlanta.

Featured Articles

Mapping Braves Country

Andy Walter

Atlanta Studies

Going for Gold: Atlanta's Bid for Fame

Drew Whitelegg

Further Reading

  • Geibler, Robert H., Jordan R. Riddell, and Joshua B. Hill. 2025. “The Impact of Building the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Crime in Atlanta, GA.” Journal of Criminal Justice 97 (March):102369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102369.
  • Kellison, Timothy. 2023. “Enduring and Emergent Public Opinion in Relation to a Suburban Stadium District: The Case of Truist Park–Battery Atlanta.” Journal of Global Sport Management 8 (4): 674–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/24704067.2021.1886685.
  • Loughran, Joseph. 2020. Stadiums of Status: Civic Development, Race, and the Business of Sports In Atlanta, Georgia, 1966-2019. https://doi.org/10.17615/6ghx-sk11